Foxes flee rural homes in search of city life

June 19, 2006

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (AP) -- A family of red foxes has joined the menagerie of rabbits, squirrels and raccoons that frequents Leisa Wagner's Hendricks County backyard. Her experience is not unique as foxes are on the move in Indiana -- and across much of the country -- because a growing coyote population is forcing them to leave their rural habitat, wildlife officials say. "Coyotes are pretty much filling in the niche where red foxes used to be," said Wayne Bivans, chief of wildlife for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. "The foxes find more protection close in, and they've adapted. For the most part, they can coexist with humans quite comfortably." The so-called "urban foxes" have been common in parts of Great Britain for more than 50 years. Now, across urban and suburban America, the animals are living and raising broods of "kits," burrowed under tool sheds and yard barns. "They are a lot of fun to watch, especially when the babies come out," Wagner told The Indianapolis Star for a Friday story. "You know when they are out there because the birds start making a lot of noise." Fishers resident Brian Baehl had a fox in his backyard several months ago. "It was just nonchalantly basking in the sun," he said. "It didn't seem nervous or afraid or anything like that." Joe N. Caudell, a biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's wildlife services program at Purdue University, said foxes can move to several dens across a 10-mile area during the course of a year. "They often go unseen because they are more active at night," he said. The urban animals are known to dine on an area's rabbit population. Living near people means the animals can also scavenge for pet food and garbage. Still, the creatures can startle homeowners. Caudell said the USDA's wildlife control hot line received 11 inquiries last month. From July 1, 2004, until June 30, 2005, the hot line got 85 calls about foxes.